I've been on the boards for a long time now. This place here has kept me company over nice times and hard times. I found excellent people in here, extremely competent servicemen and great friends in general.
When I first joined the most frequent posters were Redneck, Sherman, Mark Conley, South Korean 13thRedneck and others. Now some of those have been away for a while (Redleg, where's Conley gone?), new members have joined. USMC03 is a great member, few others are just as informed as he is. He was the one who helped me the most when I got down to debunking an article by a socialist journalist last February, and that made me pretty popular in my country.
And then Charge, Missileer, Doody, DTop. You guys rock. I don't know how many things I have learned from you guys. By the way it's been a while since Doody posted last. Hope he's doing fine.
[Update: Hey I can't forget about mmarsh, Steliga and Padre (came to my mind as I hit the rack last night I said damn I forgot about them)].
And then SwordFish, from India, who helped me so much with my laptop. Great guy.
And the relatively newcomers, Tomtom with the funniest jokes ever (I'm sure everybody agrees), the British KC72 and LeEnfield, Persian/Canadian Phoenix, Bulldog (dude, you rock. Always makes me smile when I talk to you. What a shame you're not a blond hottie ).
And FutureDevilDog, Whispering Death, Robot, Behemoth, Mighty, CoolerKing, Springfield and all the other members. Ted and Corocotta, I often argue with you guys but I like the way you are open to discussion and are curious to learn about other opinions and points of view. Rabs, Reagan rocks.
Damien, thanks for enlightening me about how much cooler than ND South Dakota really is...
The mods have always been very serious and reliable. And then Gladius, viewed as an extreme-right winger whom I happen to agree with most of the times, and Mechanic.
How could I forget Infidel? Hope you are doing fine in Baghdad and thanks for all those news you post. Please keep posting.
To all the Aussies here, Nick, Bory, Locke... I'm sure Christmas on the beach will be cool 8)
Robert, hang in there buddy.
I'm sure I'm leaving people out, but I think I have mentioned those whom I am best acquainted with.
And of course, Redleg, there's not much I can do or say to congratulate you on this idea and the way you handle it. Moving to another server is only the latest of the great ideas you've had.
Sunb!, I like to picture you on a huge white snowy scenery, preferably with your NEW car whenever you will buy that
Sandy, sayonara.
Thanks to all of you guys.
No, no, I'm not leaving the boards, or at least not permanently.
I will be flying to Milan on Sunday 27 and I'll be staying in the north until December 20. What happens on Dec 20? Italian Guy gets his PhD in International and Diplomatic Sciences!!
The thesis was that long report some of you know about. Well it's done now
Family and friends are going to come up, and others will already be there (I studied/lived there for 6 years, and that's where and when I joined the boards).
After that, parents and family will fly back here. I will go to my girlfriend's place, near Rome and spend Christmas time with her. I will be flying back home on Dec 27.
One whole month away. So I won't be able to be around here as often as I have been doing until now. Just wanted to let you guys know. But I'll be back in time to wish everyone a happy new year.
Thanks for listening, and as 5.56X45mm would say, "nuff said".

Italian Guy.

ahhh we will miss ya buddy, but am sure everytime we eat pizza , the IG is always there lol 8)

Well congrats man... have fun, take care and come back u hear!

Wonder when ill go to Ancient romaaaa.. 8)

Well, may the tides carry u to ur destiny, and the winds blow to ur favour.. Fare thee well and till we meet again comrade..

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first one to answer!

See ya dude,come back soon.

Awsome, god knows I'm not smart enough to get a PHD! :P

Make sure to get back here soon because it seems you're the only level-headed European on the continent!

Congratulations on recieving your PhD!

I'll have to hunt up a few good Phd jokes while you're away.

Until you are back, have a safe trip and Merry Christmas!

Felicitazione, bon natale IG

I'll say it again, congrats on completing your doctoral thesis and on receiving your Piled Higher and Deeper aka PhD. Before this life is through I am quite sure you and I will sit down to a nice bottle of red and discuss politics, wine, women and song.

Enjoy the pomp and circumstance and have a wonderful Christmas IG.

Congrats on your momentous achievement and all the best to you IG. We'll hold the fort down while you're away and we'll be here to welcome you back. Enjoy your time, it's well earned my friend.

congratulations on the fantastic acheivement IG

i hope you party hard afterwards, you deserve it

good for you!

You are one of the few Italians, I came to know, who is a true supporter of freedom in other countries.